Fair Trade Egypt

Why it matters: launched in 1998 as Egypt’s first fair-trade organization, this Zamalek nonprofit links dozens of artisan groups across the country to a fair market, safeguarding traditional crafts that mass production had pushed to the brink. Two floors of a quiet apartment are packed with handmade kilims, Bedouin embroidery, Siwan pottery, recycled-glass and Nubian basketry, every price tag traceable to the maker. Come for genuine, guilt-free souvenirs and skip the tourist-bazaar markups of Khan el-Khalili. Tip: it sits on the first floor of an apartment building on Yehia Ibrahim Street, open Sun-Thu, so ring the bell and take the lift up.